Install Official XXUGNA8 Android 4.3 JB on Galaxy S3 I9300

Android 4.4.2 KitKat OTA update is being highly expected by the Galaxy S3 I9300 users, but Samsung is still delaying the release of the mentioned firmware. Moreover, the company just released a new Jelly Bean update for the Galaxy S3 dubbed as XXUGNA8. The software has been OTA made available in limited markets only, this update being the second Android 4.3 OS improvement made available in a short period – as you know, not long ago we have showed you how to manually update Galaxy S3 to Android 4.3 JB XXUGNA7 OS.

Anyway, if you want to apply or flash the new XXUGNA8 Android 4.3 firmware but the OTA isn’t yet available for your Galaxy S3, then you can use this manual procedure which will easily take you through the installation procedure of the same. Similar with XXUGNA7, the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean XXUGNA8 OS is coming with only minor improvements as there are no new features, apps or capabilities included on this new platform. In fact, the XXUGNA8 software brings only stability improvements as the last Android 4.3 update turned out to be kind of buggy.

In that matter, the XXUGNA8 is stable and works without lags or issues. This Android 4.3 OS is smoothly running on the Galaxy S3 I9300 – at least according to the users who have installed and tested the firmware until now. Hopefully, this should be the last Android 4.3 OTA update rolled out for the Galaxy S3, as the next firmware will be Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS. Anyway, it is recommended to flash all the official updates if you want to receive the best Android experience on your Samsung Galaxy S3, so because of that you should follow and apply the guidelines from below.

This step by step guide is compatible with both rooted and locked Android smartphones. So, it doesn’t matter if your Galaxy S3 has an unlocked bootloder, or if it is running on a custom ROM firmware as this update can be safely flashed in any conditions. Of course, if your phone is currently rooted, after completing the steps from below, the root access will be revoked. This is happening because XXUGNA8 Android 4.3 represents an official update and not a custom one. That’s why this tutorial can also be used for restoring the warranty on your Galaxy S3, or for un-bricking your Android device – you can bookmark this page as who knows when you will be asking for it.

Since the XXUGNA8 firmware represents an official update, for this guide there aren’t required custom procedures or apps such as installing a custom recovery image, flashing a custom kernel and so on. The software can be easily flashed by using Odin, which is an official program offered by Samsung. Odin has a user friendly interface, works without problems and is of course compatible only with Samsung branded devices. You can learn how to properly use Odin for updating your Samsung Galaxy S3 to official Android 4.3 XXUGNA8 OS by checking the lines from below.

But first, you need to backup your Android smartphone – save the data which is located on the internal storage memory. Even though the data can’t be voided while using Odin, in rare cases a wipe is being required – for example if your phone gets stuck on a boot loop after completing this tutorial – you can learn more during the troubleshooting section of this guide. Therefore, don’t hesitate and use compatible backup and restore apps from Google Play and backup EFS, contacts list, call logs, market apps, personal data, info and accounts and everything else you might need afterwards.

Up next, prepare a windows based computer, your smartphone and its USB cable. On the computer deactivate the security protection – else the antivirus programs might interfere with our work, and on your smartphone enable USB debugging option (from path “menu – settings – developer options”) – else you won’t be able to properly connect your devices. Furthermore, on your smartphone check the battery status: if there the power is less than 60%, you then need to plug in the charger. If your phone gets turned off in the middle of the update operation, it can get bricked out.

This step by step guide is being compatible only with the Samsung Galaxy S3 model number I9300. Why? Well, actually because Samsung released the official XXUGNA8 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean OS only for the mentioned Android smartphone. Therefore, completing the steps from below for a similar or different device will probably make you brick your handsets.

How to Install Official XXUGNA8 Android 4.3 JB Firmware on Galaxy S3 I9300

Also, use Samsung KIES for installing the Galaxy S3 drivers – skip this step if the drivers are already flashed on your computer.

On the PC run Odin.

Now, turn off your device.

Wait a few seconds and then press Power, Volume Down and Home buttons at the same time, for a few seconds.

In this way download mode can be reached.

Connect your smartphone with your computer via USB cable.

Then, take a look on Odin. If everything is working as expected, on Odin the “added” message should be displayed; also the ID:COM section should be either yellow or blue.

If not you need to close Odin and unplug the USB cord. Reinstall the drivers on your computer and then retry the steps from above.

Up next, from Odin click on the “PA” option.

From the window that will be displayed pick the Android 4.3 XXUGNA8 firmware file.

Don’t change anything else on Odin; just click on “start”.

The update process will begin, so wait while Odin is running.

In the end, on the program the “pass” message will be displayed; also the ID:COM section will now be green.

Unplug the USB cable and also reboot your Galaxy S3.

If there are problems, check the troubleshooting section from below.

Update

If you want to learn how to root your Samsung Galaxy S3 I9300 on official Android 4.3 Jelly Bean XXUGNA8 you can now use our dedicated tutorial – just go here.

Troubleshooting

As I have already mentioned before, after completing the tutorial, your Galaxy S3 might get stuck in a boot loop. For resolving this issue you first have to enter recovery mode. Then, from the recovery mode you need to select “wipe data factory reset” followed by “wipe cache partition”. Return to main menu of recovery and select “reboot system now”. On the other hand, while using Odin for completing the steps from above, the program might get also stuck. In that case you first have to close Odin and unplug the USB cord. Then force restart your smartphone and reflash the drivers on your computer. Repeat the update operation as everything should be working now. For resolving other problems, try checking this dedicated step by step tutorial.

So, that was all for today. Now you know how to manually update the Samsung Galaxy S3 I9300 to official Android 4.3 XXUGNA8 Jelly Bean OS. Do test the new software and share your opinions with us – just use the comments field from below. If there are problems we will assist you as soon as possible.